Passenger seat with drop-down armrest assembly

ABSTRACT

A seat that includes a seat bottom and seat back, an endbay assembly positioned to one side of the seat bottom, and an armrest positioned within the endbay assembly and selectively moveable between an upper position for use as an armrest and a lower position level with an upper seating surface of the seat bottom for allowing ingress and egress to the seat.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/230,330 filed Mar. 31, 2014 and U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 61/808,293 filed Apr. 4, 2013, the contents of which areincorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application relates to a seating product, particularly a seat suchas is provided in business and premium class cabins of passengeraircraft. In aircraft cabins, space is at a premium, and seats arepositioned to achieve a balance between passenger comfort, space-savingand safety. Additional considerations include providing an accommodationfor disabled, wheelchair-seated or elderly passengers who may find itdifficult to maneuver past a conventional passenger seat endbayassembly. Endbays frequently serve as storage areas for deployabletables and thus are required to have a certain minimum amount ofinterior storage volume. Prior art endbays thus have an armcap at afixed height that is generally 16-18 cm. above the seating surface ofthe seat bottom. The endbays include a base that accommodates the stowedtable, and the armcap functions both as a lid for the housing and as anarmrest.

Therefore, there is a need for a passenger seat that has an armcap thatcan be lowered to be at the approximate level of the seating surface ofthe seat bottom to facilitate passenger ingress and egress.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide apassenger seat that has an endbay that moves between a raised armrestposition and a lowered, seat access position.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a passenger seat thathas an endbay that moves between an upper armrest position and a lower,seat access position, and that includes an endbay base that stows adeployable table.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention areachieved by providing a seat that includes a seat base, a seat bottomand seat back operatively associated with the base. An endbay assemblyis provided that defines an armrest housing positioned to one side ofthe seat bottom. An armrest assembly having an upper arm support surfaceis positioned in the armrest assembly of the endbay assembly and isselectively moveable between a raised position extended from the armresthousing and a lowered position within the armrest housing with the upperarm support surface aligned with a seating surface of the seat bottomfor facilitating lateral ingress and egress of a seat occupant from aposition to and from one side of the seat.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the seat includes ahead rest mounted on a top end of the seat back and a leg rest and footrest mounted forward of the seat bottom and adapted to move between astowed position and a deployed, extended position to support the legsand feet of the seat occupant in an elevated condition.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the armrest assemblyincludes a tray table carried by the armrest assembly and moveablebetween a lowered, stowed position against a major vertical surface ofthe armrest assembly and a raised, deployed position perpendicular tothe major vertical surface of the armrest assembly and extending atleast partially laterally across and above the seat bottom.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the tray tableincludes a cantilevered support arm connecting the tray table to thearmrest assembly and supporting the tray table in its deployed position.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the upper arm supportsurface is a padded armcap.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the padded armcap ismounted by one side to the armrest assembly and comprises a top-openingcover for covering and enclosing the endbay assembly.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the endbay assemblyincludes a structural plate on which is mounted a lock assembly thatmaintains the armrest in its lowered position in the endbay assemblywhen stowed.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the structural plateincludes a tray table spring reel connected by cabling to the armrest toprovide a spring assist in lifting the tray table into its upper,deployed position.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a vertically-extendingstationary tray table rack cooperates with a tray table rack gearcarried by the armrest to guide the tray table during movement.

According to another embodiment of the invention, an armrest spring reeland an armrest rack cooperates with an armrest rack gear for providing aspring assist when being moved to its upper position extended from thearmrest housing.

According to another embodiment of the invention, an aircraft passengerseat is provided that includes a seat base and a seat bottom and seatback operatively associated with the base. A head rest is mounted on atop end of the seat back and a leg rest and foot rest is mounted forwardof the seat bottom and adapted to move between a stowed position and adeployed, extended position to support the legs and feet of a seatoccupant in an elevated condition. An endbay assembly defines an armresthousing positioned to one side of the seat bottom and includes astructural plate on which is mounted a lock assembly that maintains thearmrest in its lowered position in the endbay assembly when stowed. Anarmrest assembly is provided that includes an upper arm support surfacedefined by an armcap positioned on the endbay assembly and selectivelymoveable between a raised position extended from the armrest housing,and a lowered position within the armrest housing with the upper armsupport surface aligned with a seating surface of the seat bottom forfacilitating lateral ingress and egress to the seat of a seat occupantfrom a position to one side of the seat. A tray table is carried by thearmrest assembly and is moveable between a lowered, stowed positionagainst a major vertical surface of the armrest assembly and a raised,deployed position perpendicular to the major vertical surface of thearmrest assembly. The tray table extends at least partially laterallyacross and above the seat bottom, and a tray table spring reel isconnected by cabling to the armrest to provide a spring assist inlifting the tray table into its upper, deployed position.

According to another embodiment of the invention, an aircraft passengerseating unit is provided that includes a seat base and first and secondseats positioned on the base, each seat including a bottom and seat backoperatively associated with the base, a head rest mounted on a top endof the seat back and a leg rest and foot rest mounted forward of theseat bottom and adapted to move between a stowed position and adeployed, extended position to support the legs and feet of respectivefirst and second seat occupants in an elevated condition. A first endbayassembly is positioned on an outboard side of the first seat and asecond endbay assembly is positioned on an outboard side of the secondseat. The first end bay assembly and the second endbay assembly eachdefine an armrest housing positioned to one side of the seat bottom andincluding a structural plate on which is mounted a lock assembly thatmaintains the armrest in its lowered position in the endbay assemblywhen stowed. An armrest assembly is provided in each endbay assembly andincludes an upper arm support surface defined by an armcap, positionedon the endbay assembly and selectively moveable between a raisedposition extended from the armrest housing, and a lowered positionwithin the armrest housing with the upper arm support surface alignedwith a seating surface of the seat bottom for facilitating lateralingress and egress to the seat of a seat occupant from a position to oneside of the seat. A tray table is carried by the armrest assembly and ismoveable between a lowered, stowed position against a major verticalsurface of the armrest assembly and a raised, deployed positionperpendicular to the major vertical surface of the armrest assembly andextending at least partially laterally across and above the seat bottom,and a tray table spring reel connected by cabling to the armrest toprovide a spring assist in lifting the tray table into its upper,deployed position. A center console is positioned between the first andsecond seats.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the center consoleincludes a storage compartment for first and second video monitors.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a top surface of theconsole includes inboard armcaps that serve as armrests in a closedposition, and open to allow deployment of first and second videomonitors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

The present invention is best understood when the following detaileddescription of the invention is read with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pair of passenger seats in an uprightposition and with respective armrests in a lowered, seat accessposition;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a pair of passenger seats in an uprightposition and with respective armcaps in a raised, armrest position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a pair of passenger seats in an uprightposition and with respective armcaps in a raised, armrest position, witha table normally stowed in the endbay deployed into a use position;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of a pair of passenger seats inrespective recline and upright positions, and with respective armcaps ina lowered, seat access position;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation showing the table in an intermediate positionand the armcap in its upper, armrest position;

FIG. 6 is side elevation showing the table in an intermediate positionand the armcap in its upper, armrest position, with parts removed toshow the lock mechanism and spring reel assemblies; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevation with the table moved to itsstowed position and the armcap closed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now specifically to the drawings, seating unit 10 including apair of passenger seats 30 and 90. Seat 30 includes a seat back 32 thatis preferably adapted to move between upright TTOL and variable reclinepositions. A headrest 34 is positioned on a top end of the seat back 32to provide comfort and support to the seat occupant's head and neck. Aseat bottom 36 and foot rest 38 provide a seating surface and anextendable leg and foot support, respectively. The seat bottom 36 has anupper seating surface 37 that accommodates the buttocks and upper legsof the seat occupant.

A center console 40 provides space between the seats 30 and 90, storagefor video monitors, seat, video, and audio controls, call button andother typical functions. The top of the console 40 includes inboardarmcaps 42, 44 that serve as armrests in a closed position, and open toallow deployment of video monitors.

Seat 30 includes an endbay assembly 50 in which is mounted an outboardarmrest 52, shown in its lowered, seat access position in FIG. 1. Inthis position, the top of the armrest 52 is approximately level with theupper seating surface 37 of the seat bottom 36. Seat 90 includes a seatback 92 that is preferably adapted to move between upright TTOL andvariable recline positions. A headrest 94 is positioned on a top end ofthe seat back 92 to provide support to the seat occupant's head andneck. A seat bottom 96 and foot rest 98 provide a seating surface and anextendable leg and foot support, respectively. The seat bottom 96 has anupper seating surface 97 that accommodates the buttocks and upper legsof the seat occupant. Seat 90 shares the console 40 with seat 30.

Seat 90 includes an endbay assembly 100 in which is mounted an outboardarmrest 102, shown in its lowered, seat access position in FIG. 1. Inthis position, the top of the outboard armrest 102 is approximatelylevel with the upper seating surface 97 of the seat bottom 96. FIG. 2shows the armrests 52, 102 of seats 30, 90, respectively, in theirupper, armrest positions approximately 16-19 cm. above the seatingsurfaces 37, 97. FIG. 3 shows the armrest 52, 102 of seats 30, 90,respectively, in their upper, armrest positions, as in FIG. 2, with atable 54 shown deployed into a use position spanning the distancebetween the armrest 52 and the console 40. As is shown in FIG. 4, avideo monitor 42 is deployed into a viewing position for an occupant ofseat 30, and the seat back 34 and foot rest 38 are reclined andextended, respectively, to provide a recline position for a seatoccupant.

The remainder of the description proceeds principally with respect toseat 30. The seat 90 includes the same features as seat 30 and functionsin the same manner, specifically with respect to the operation of theendbay assemblies 50 and 100, respectively. The endbay assembly 50 is aright-hand endbay, and the endbay assembly 100 is a left-hand endbay,with identical functions.

Referring now to FIG. 5, endbay assembly 50 serves as an enclosure forthe armrest 52. A padded armcap 58 is mounted to the top of the armrest52 and serves as the arm support portion of the armrest 52 when in theposition shown in, for example, FIG. 1, and when open as shown in FIG.3, permits the table 54 to be raised out of its stowed position. Table54 is mounted on a cantilevered support arm 56 that permits the table,when raised, to be pivoted 90 degrees into its use position. Thecantilever configuration of the support arm 56 provides support to thebottom of the table 54, as shown in FIG. 3. When the table 54 isdeployed, the cantilever configuration of the support arm 56 alsopermits the armcap 58 to be returned to its closed position for use asthe support surface of the armrest 52 by the seat occupant.

Referring now to FIGS. 6-7, the armrest 52 is shown in its loweredposition in the endbay assembly 50. The endbay assembly 50 includes alower structural plate 60 on which is mounted a lock assembly 62 thatmaintains the armrest 52 in its lowered position in the endbay assembly50. A spring reel 64 is connected by appropriate cabling to the armrest52 and provides a spring assist in lifting the table 54 into its upperposition, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The table 54 is guided by a rack 66that interconnects with a rack gear 68. See FIG. 7.

As also shown in FIG. 7, the armrest 52 is provided a spring assist whenbeing raised by a spring reel 70 and appropriate cabling. The armrest 52is guided by a rack 72 that interconnects with a rack gear 74.

A passenger seat with drop-down armrest assembly according to theinvention has been described with reference to specific embodiments andexamples. Various details of the invention may be changed withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the foregoingdescription of the preferred embodiments of the invention and best modefor practicing the invention are provided for the purpose ofillustration only and not for the purpose of limitation, the inventionbeing defined by the claims.

We claim:
 1. A seat, comprising (a) a seat base; (b) a seat bottom andseat back operatively associated with the base; (c) an endbay assemblydefining an armrest housing positioned to one side of the seat bottom;(d) an armrest assembly having an upper arm support surface positionedin the armrest assembly of the endbay assembly and selectively moveablebetween a raised position extended from the armrest housing and alowered position within the armrest housing with the upper arm supportsurface aligned with a seating surface of the seat bottom forfacilitating lateral ingress and egress of a seat occupant from aposition to and from one side of the seat; and (e) an armrest springreel and an armrest rack cooperating with an armrest rack gear forproviding a spring assist when being moved to its upper positionextended from the armrest housing.
 2. A seat according to claim 1,wherein the seat includes a head rest mounted on a top end of the seatback and a leg rest and foot rest mounted forward of the seat bottom andadapted to move between a stowed position and a deployed, extendedposition to support the legs and feet of the seat occupant in anelevated condition.
 3. A seat according to claim 1, wherein the armrestassembly includes a tray table carried by the armrest assembly andmoveable between a lowered, stowed position against a major verticalsurface of the armrest assembly and a raised, deployed positionperpendicular to the major vertical surface of the armrest assembly andextending at least partially laterally across and above the seat bottom.4. A seat according to claim 3, wherein the tray table includes acantilevered support arm connecting the tray table to the armrestassembly and supporting the tray table in its deployed position.
 5. Aseat according to claim 1, wherein the upper arm support surfacecomprises a padded armcap.
 6. A seat according to claim 5, wherein thepadded armcap is mounted by one side to the armrest assembly andcomprises a top-opening cover for covering and enclosing the endbayassembly.
 7. A seat according to claim 1, wherein the endbay assemblyincludes a structural plate on which is mounted a lock assembly thatmaintains the armrest in its lowered position in the endbay assemblywhen stowed.
 8. A seat according to claim 7, the structural plateincludes a tray table spring reel connected by cabling to the armrest toprovide a spring assist in lifting the tray table into its upper,deployed position.
 9. A seat according to claim 8, and including avertically-extending stationary tray table rack cooperating with a traytable rack gear carried by the armrest to guide the tray table duringmovement.
 10. An aircraft passenger seat, comprising: (a) a seat base;(b) a seat bottom and seat back operatively associated with the base, ahead rest mounted on a top end of the seat back and a leg rest and footrest mounted forward of the seat bottom and adapted to move between astowed position and a deployed, extended position to support the legsand feet of a seat occupant in an elevated condition; (c) an endbayassembly defining an armrest housing positioned to one side of the seatbottom and including a structural plate on which is mounted a lockassembly that maintains the armrest in its lowered position in theendbay assembly when stowed; (d) an armrest assembly, including an upperarm support surface defined by an armcap, positioned on the endbayassembly and selectively moveable with a spring assist between a raisedposition extended from the armrest housing, and a lowered positionwithin the armrest housing with the upper arm support surface alignedwith a seating surface of the seat bottom for facilitating lateralingress and egress to the seat of a seat occupant from a position to oneside of the seat; and (e) a tray table carried by the armrest assemblyand moveable between a lowered, stowed position against a major verticalsurface of the armrest assembly and a raised, deployed positionperpendicular to the major vertical surface of the armrest assembly andextending at least partially laterally across and above the seat bottom,and a tray table spring reel connected by cabling to the armrest toprovide a spring assist in lifting the tray table into its upper,deployed position.
 11. An aircraft passenger seat according to claim 10,wherein the tray table includes a cantilevered support arm that connectsthe tray table to the armrest assembly and supports the tray table inits deployed position.
 12. An aircraft passenger seat according to claim10, wherein the padded armcap is mounted by one side to the endbayassembly and comprises a top-opening cover for covering the endbayassembly.
 13. An aircraft passenger seat according to claim 12, andincluding a vertically-extending stationary tray table rack cooperatingwith a tray table rack gear carried by the armrest to guide the traytable during movement.
 14. An aircraft passenger seat according to claim10, and including an armrest spring reel and an armrest rack cooperatingwith an armrest rack gear for providing the spring assist when beingmoved to its upper position extended from the armrest housing.
 15. Anaircraft passenger seating unit, comprising: (a) a seat base; (b) firstand second seats positioned on the base, each seat including a bottomand seat back operatively associated with the base, a head rest mountedon a top end of the seat back and a leg rest and foot rest mountedforward of the seat bottom and adapted to move between a stowed positionand a deployed, extended position to support the legs and feet ofrespective first and second seat occupants in an elevated condition; (c)first endbay assembly positioned on an outboard side of the first seatand a second endbay assembly positioned on an outboard side of thesecond seat, the first end bay assembly and the second endbay assemblyeach defining: (i) an armrest housing positioned to one side of the seatbottom and including a structural plate on which is mounted a lockassembly that maintains the armrest in its lowered position in theendbay assembly when stowed; (ii) an armrest assembly, including anupper arm support surface defined by an armcap, positioned on the endbayassembly and selectively moveable between a raised position extendedfrom the armrest housing, and a lowered position within the armresthousing with the upper arm support surface aligned with a seatingsurface of the seat bottom for facilitating lateral ingress and egressto the seat of a seat occupant from a position to one side of the seat;(iii) an armrest spring reel and an armrest rack cooperating with anarmrest rack gear for providing a spring assist when being moved to itsupper position extended from the armrest housing; (iv) a tray tablecarried by the armrest assembly and moveable between a lowered, stowedposition against a major vertical surface of the armrest assembly and araised, deployed position perpendicular to the major vertical surface ofthe armrest assembly and extending at least partially laterally acrossand above the seat bottom, and a tray table spring reel connected bycabling to the armrest to provide a spring assist in lifting the traytable into its upper, deployed position; and (d) a center consolepositioned between the first and second seats.
 16. An aircraft passengerseating unit according to claim 15, wherein the center console includesa storage compartment for first and second video monitors.
 17. Anaircraft passenger seating unit according to claim 15, wherein a topsurface of the console includes inboard armcaps that serve as armrestsin a closed position, and open to allow deployment of first and secondvideo monitors.